US Mission Nigeria Clarifies Visa Fees Are Non-Refundable, Even After Refusal

The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that U.S. visa application fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether an applicant is granted or refused a visa.

The mission made this known in a post shared on its official social media account, @USinNigeria, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, while correcting the misconception that applicants are entitled to a refund if their visa applications are unsuccessful.

“MYTH: If a U.S. visa application is refused, the applicant receives a refund,” the mission stated.

Clarifying the issue, the mission explained that the fee paid by applicants covers the processing of their applications and does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.

“FACT: The fee paid is an application processing fee, not a payment for a visa to be issued,” the statement read.

It added that the fee covers the cost of processing an application through a final decision, irrespective of the outcome. Consequently, applicants cannot recover the fee if their applications are denied.

The clarification serves as a reminder to Nigerians planning to travel to the United States that paying the required visa application fee does not guarantee approval. Applicants must still satisfy the relevant eligibility requirements and undergo the prescribed assessment.

The mission also advised prospective travellers to obtain accurate information about U.S. visa procedures through the official website of the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov.

It further warned visa seekers to be cautious of third-party consultants and fraudulent schemes promising guaranteed visas or refundable application deposits. Applicants were encouraged to rely on official U.S. government websites, particularly those ending in .gov, for reliable information about application procedures and requirements.